Parents of students in Arizona erupted in protest after a school board canceled its meeting at the last minute and signaled that it would still require students to wear masks despite the governor’s order lifting the state mandate.
The Vail Unified School District meeting was supposed to discuss the district’s mask policy following Gov. Doug Ducey’s April 19 order lifting the requirement to wear masks inside schools.
Board members canceled the meeting before it commenced, citing safety concerns as dozens of parents prepared to protest, KVOA reported.
“These are my rights as a parent, and they don’t get to decide how I raise them and what I believe is true and factual,” one parent said of the school’s continued mask mandate.
When parents received word that the meeting was canceled, they demanded to speak to the board, and a group made its way inside the district’s headquarters.
Five parents and their children were able to speak to board members.
MOTHER GOES VIRAL SLAMMING FACE MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN: ‘TAKE THESE MASKS OFF OF MY CHILD’
Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputies were called to the scene to keep the peace, though their presence reportedly upset some parents.
A sheriff’s deputy says the meeting has been canceled. Upset parents want to know why. There are dozens gathered at the door… others in the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/MjjEIAWvKT
— Eric Fink (@EricMillerFink) April 28, 2021
The district’s mask mandate lasts for at least the remaining school semester, which ends in four weeks. Nearly 90% of parents support the mask mandate for students, Vail Unified School District told KVOA.
“There’s always the smaller portion that likes to be louder than others,” one parent said. “But I believe the school district does a great job of hearing and putting the concerns and safety of everyone.”
At one point during the protest, parents gathered in the hallway of the district’s headquarters agreed to elect a new school board. Their decision has no power until board members are elected.
Quite a night here in Vail. Some parents voted in the hallway to elect a new school board. This has no merit as school board members must be elected in an actual election. I’ll have the latest from a wild night coming up at 10. @KVOA pic.twitter.com/5D6qUXWAi7
— Eric Fink (@EricMillerFink) April 28, 2021
The district is sending out a letter to all parents as a reminder that the mask mandate remains despite the governor’s order.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Vail Unified School District but did not immediately receive a response.
